PUBLISHED BY THE ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY www.ausa.org August 28, 2025 | AUSA Extra 1 Guard critical to Army transformation I n a complex, volatile and chang- ing world, the U.S. needs all com- ponents of its Total Army to fight and win, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George said. “We are working rapidly to update our combat training centers and our regional training centers. We are going to have to be able to operate drones and be able to do things in the electronic warfare environment … those changes are going to hap- pen,” George said Aug. 23 during the National Guard Association of the United States General Conference and Exhibition in Milwaukee. In the past, military technology was generally ahead of what was available in the commercial sector, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George addresses the National Guard Association of the United States General Conference and Exhibition in Milwaukee. (ARMY NATIONAL GUARD/MASTER SGT. ZACH SHEELY) Layered Challenges of Urban Warfare 3 Survey: Modest Rise in Housing Satisfaction 4 Book Program A History of Junior ROTC 6 Chapter Highlights Central Virginia Eagle Chapters 7 IN THIS ISSUE VOLUME 7 NUMBER 16 AUGUST 28, 2025 See George, Page 3 but “that is not the case right now,” George said. “It’s critically important that we transform at a quicker pace than we’ve done in the past,” he said. “We’re going to have to change the way we do business.” As an example, George pointed to the Virginia National Guard’s 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, which is the first Army National Guard brigade to transform into a mobile brigade combat team. “We are going to do that in the next year, and we’re going to do it very rapidly,” George said. “Every soldier and NCO [in the brigade] that I’ve spoken to has said ‘We’re ready now, we want to go faster.’” The Army Transformation Initia - tive, a sweeping transformation that promises big changes for the force, centers on “taking lessons observed, and making them lessons learned. To make a lesson learned, you have to change how you train and operate, you have to change how you’re orga- nized, and you have to change how you buy things,” George said. That transformation will require “learning from the bottom up,” he said. “We’re learning from the peo- ple that are actually fighting in these formations, and we have innovative soldiers that understand how to piece all of this together.” The Army also is reexamining its When storms gather Radar array structures, hulls and turrets, and launch system components by keelusa.comwww.ausa.org ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY August 28, 2025 | AUSA Extra 3 Paper: Urban fight’s challenges extend beyond battlefield George From Page 1 training methods, George said. “One of the goals I have for the Army is to reduce our [temporary duty assign- ment] time by 50%,” which will re- quire more immersive training at the unit level, he said. “You should be able to do drone and electronic warfare training at what- ever camp, post or station you are located at,” George said. George also lauded the Guard’s State Partnership Program, which pairs state Guards with a partner country. “Everywhere I go, I hear from our partners about how valu- able the partnerships are,” and how much the relationships accomplish for the Army and the joint force, he said. Roughly 22,000 National Guard soldiers are currently mobilized un- der Title 10 authorities, George said, adding that he is “incredibly proud of all that the Guard is doing to answer the nation’s call.” The Army National Guard makes up 32% of the Total Army and con- tains 42% of the service’s combat power, George said. “We’re one Army—that’s the only way we’re ever going to deploy,” he said. A mid the challenges inherent to urban warfare, militaries can no longer just focus on eliminating the enemy, according to a new paper published by the Asso- ciation of the U.S. Army. “Today, militaries representing civilized countries have an obliga- tion to reduce war’s costs in civilian lives and damage to infrastructure to the extent that such limitation is feasible,” write retired Lt. Col. Louis DiMarco and Russell Glenn. “That these two imperatives are inescap- ably in tension does not negate the necessity of dual pursuit.” In “A Professor and a Soldier Walk into a Room: New Perspectives on Future Urban Conflict,” DiMarco and Glenn grapple with the responsi- bilities and challenges of waging war in an urban environment. “Current and emerging technolo- gies, understanding of past contin- gencies and innovative approaches could make future urban combat more efficient and less punishing for warriors and innocents alike,” they write. “With the right approach, to- morrow’s urban struggles can be less costly in terms of human life and physical destruction.” A former U.S. Army officer, Glenn is a think tank analyst and faculty member with Australian National University’s Strategic and Defence Studies Centre. DiMarco served in the Army for over 24 years and has written several publications on ur- ban warfare. More than half of the world’s popu- lation lives in urban areas, and over two-thirds are expected to live in urban areas by 2050, according to a 2018 United Nations report. Urban warfare brings a set of unique challenges, including fighting across a battlefield without well-de- fined lines, more locations to conceal enemy combatants, below-ground structures, and difficulty with com- munications and navigation equip- ment, Glenn and DiMarco write. Though urban warfare is inher- ently complicated, technology can help to facilitate waging war “with recovery in mind" through methods like pre-chambering, which “involves designing bridges, road surfaces or other infrastructure to facilitate the placement of explosives that, when detonated, block passage by an ad- versary,” and employing mines that become inert after a period of time, which spare civilians and reduce spending on demining. How militaries leverage technolo- gy to balance the need to destroy the enemy while minimizing damage to civilians and infrastructure will be “one of the coming decades’ premier security challenges,” Glenn and Di- Marco write. Read the full paper here. Soldiers with the 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team conduct simulated urban warfare operations during an invasion of the mock town of Razish in August at the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, California. (U.S. ARMY/SPC. ELI JOHNSON)www.ausa.org 4 AUSA Extra | August 28, 2025 Gen. Bob Brown, USA Ret. President and CEO, AUSA Lt. Gen. Leslie Smith, USA Ret. Vice President, Leadership and Education, AUSA Luc Dunn Editor Desiree Hurlocker Advertising Manager Advertising Information Contact: Fox Associates Inc. 116 W. Kinzie St. • Chicago, IL 60654 Phone: 800-440-0231 Email: adinfo.rmy@foxrep.com ARTICLES. Articles appearing in AUSA Extra do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the officers or members of the Council of Trustees of AUSA, or its editors. Articles are expres- sions of personal opinion and should not be interpreted as reflecting the official opinion of the Department of Defense nor of any branch, command, installation or agency of the Depart- ment of Defense. The publication assumes no responsibility for any unsolicited material. Email: extra@ausa.org ADVERTISING. Neither AUSA Extra, nor its publisher, the Association of the United States Army, makes any representations, warranties or endorsements as to the truth and accuracy of the advertisements appearing herein, and no such representations, warranties or en- dorsements should be implied or inferred from the appearance of the advertisements in the publication. The advertisers are solely respon- sible for the contents of such advertisements. MEMBERSHIP RATES. To celebrate the U.S. Army’s 250th birthday, from April 1, 2025, to Dec. 31, 2025, membership rates are reduced to a five-year Premium rate of $50 and a two- year Premium rate of $30. Lifetime member- ship is $250. A special Premium rate of $10 for two years is open to E1–E4 and cadets only. Two-year Basic membership with select ben- efits is free. Learn more at www.ausa.org/join . Voice for the Army – Support For the Soldier PERK OF THE WEEK ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY Survey: Modest rise among soldiers, families in housing satisfaction A pproval of privatized and gov- ernment-owned housing in- creased slightly over the past year among soldiers and families, ac- cording to the fiscal year 2025 Army Housing Tenant Satisfaction Survey. Overall satisfaction scores rose from 75.8 to 76 for privatized family housing, from 73 to 74.1 for Army- owned and leased family housing, and from 87 to 87.4 for privatized unaccompanied housing. “This year, and every year, we are grateful for the feedback our soldiers and families provide through the Ten- ant Satisfaction Survey,” said Com- mand Sgt. Maj. Jimmy Sellers, senior enlisted leader for Army Materiel Command, in an Army news release. “We stand ready to support as our garrisons submit their action plans and are committed to improving the quality of our housing for our soldiers and families, including our junior en- listed and unaccompanied soldiers.” The annual survey gathers feed- back from soldiers and their fami- lies about their experiences living in Army housing. This was the first year the survey included Army- Contractors work on a new $27.3 million transient training troops barracks project on Aug. 8 at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin. (U.S. ARMY/SCOTT STURKOL) AUSA members save 15% on Fri- day and Saturday and 20% Sunday through Thursday with Budget Truck Rental. Make moving easier with great savings on reliable, easy-to-drive trucks and 24/7 roadside assistance. Get your quote at www.ausa.org/truck. owned permanent party unaccom- panied housing residents, which in- cludes soldiers in barracks. After receiving the results, instal- lations have 60 days to develop action plans, the release says. Participation by soldiers in the barracks was low, but among those who responded to the survey, some expressed satisfaction with the help- fulness of the housing community and maintenance staff, but there also were complaints about mold and pest issues, inadequate facilities, cramped living spaces and mainte- nance delays. The Army has implemented several measures to ensure housing quality, including 100% “change of occupan- cy” inspections and assurance checks on life, health and safety work orders in family housing. Additionally, independent third- party inspections of the entire family housing inventory are being conduct- ed, and a standardized inspection checklist has been implemented, the release says. To view the full survey results, click here.SECURE AMERICA DEPLOY RAPIDLYDOMINATE RELENTLESSLY WITH SPEED AND INTELLIGENCE AUTONOMOUS MISSION-READY DEFENSE SYSTEMS THAT PROTECT, TRAIN, AND DOMINATE ACROSS EVERY DOMAIN. WWW.HARMATTAN.AIwww.ausa.org 6 AUSA Extra | August 28, 2025 ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY New AUSA book showcases history, value of Junior ROTC F or parents across the country, the onset of September means one thing: back to school. And for 314,000 students in over 1,700 high schools, it means serving as a cadet in the Army’s Junior Re- serve Officers’ Training Corps. First established in 1916, then ex- panded to all services in 1964, Junior ROTC is designed to instill “the val- ues of citizenship, service to the Unit- ed States, and personal responsibility and a sense of accomplishment.” This invaluable char- acter development program is now the focus of the Association of the U.S. Army Book Program’s latest release, Soldiers in the Schoolhouse: A Mili- tary History of the Junior ROTC. The author of the new work is re- tired Col. Arthur Coumbe, a former military intelligence officer who spent 30 years in uniform. Among his assignments, Coumbe served as the command historian for U.S. Army Cadet Command, and he now works as a researcher at the Office of Economic and Manpower Analysis at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York. The AUSA Book Program sat down with Coumbe to talk about Soldiers in the Schoolhouse. ****** AUSA: Why is it important to know the history of Junior ROTC? Coumbe: Knowing the history of Junior ROTC is important because it reveals how the program promotes national security by shaping young people through discipline, leadership and citizenship and addresses domes- tic challenges by guiding youth along positive paths and fostering a strong service ethic. History illustrates that Junior ROTC is more than just a military program; it is a strategic policy instrument shaped by broader national goals. AUSA: When was the program most popular? How does it compare to today? Book Program Coumbe: The Junior ROTC has experienced several peaks in popu- larity, with a notable high point occurring during the early to mid- 1990s. During this time, there was a surge in patriotism, a new pride in the U.S. military, and an increase of support from the Defense Depart- ment. The popularity of Junior ROTC remains strong, with hundreds of schools seeking new units. AUSA: How effective has Junior ROTC been in addressing recruiting shortfalls? Coumbe: Studies show that Ju- nior ROTC participants are about two to three times more likely to enlist than other students. This likelihood to enlist stems from their exposure to military culture, train- ing and mentorship throughout the program. However, the program’s recruiting success cannot be statisti- cally verified, as direct causal links are difficult to establish. AUSA: Earlier this summer, Army Cadet Command announced several changes for senior ROTC. What might those changes augur for Ju- nior ROTC? Coumbe: Cadet Command’s re- balancing of the senior ROTC might stimulate a greater interest in how Junior ROTC programs are funded and staffed. The program could see more evaluation of impact and cost-effectiveness. Moreover, senior ROTC changes were designed to be reversible, and Junior ROTC might also adopt flexible models that could expand or contract based on future circumstances. AUSA: What is one change you would like to see for Junior ROTC? Coumbe: One change that could significantly benefit Junior ROTC is expanding accessibility and outreach into areas of the country where the program has traditionally been under- represented. Increased funding and more resources would support the cre- ation of new units, improve training and attract a wider range of students. ****** Please visit www.ausa.org/books to order Soldiers in the School- house and other titles in the AUSA Book Program. Use the promo code SUM25AUSA for select member discounts when purchasing directly through the publisher links. Joseph Craig is AUSA’s Book Program director. Junior ROTC cadets from James A. Gar- field High School in Los Angeles post the colors during a car show for veterans in July. (U.S. ARMY/RETIRED 1ST SGT. RAYMOND EASON)M embers of the Association of the U.S. Army's Central Virginia chapter, in part- nership with representatives from Fort Lee and The ROCKS, Inc., re- cently visited Cool Spring Elemen- tary School in Petersburg, Virginia, to donate backpacks and school sup- plies. “A heartfelt thank you to the Cen- tral Virginia Chapter and the offi- cials from Fort Lee for visiting Cool Spring Elemen- tary to generously donate backpacks and essential school supplies,” the school said in a Facebook post. “Their commitment to our students’ success ensures they step into this school year ready to thrive. Together, we’re building brighter futures.” The initiative aims to support students as they begin the new aca- demic year, according to the Peters- burg City Public School district. The Representatives from AUSA's Central Virginia chapter, Fort Lee and The ROCKS, Inc., deliver a donation of backpacks and school supplies to Cool Spring Elementary School in Petersburg, Virginia. (PETERSBURG CITY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT PHOTO) Central Virginia www.ausa.orgAugust 28, 2025 | AUSA Extra 7 ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY Chapter donation provides school supplies for local children Eagle Chapters The following chapters attained Eagle status for July by showing positive membership growth. The number of consecutive months of growth since July 1 is shown in parentheses. Alamo (1) Arizona Territorial (1) Arsenal of Democracy (1) Benelux (1) Big Bend (1) Carlisle Barracks-Cumberland Valley (1) Catoctin (1) Central Ohio (1) Coastal South Carolina (1) Columbia River (1) Crossroads of America (1) Denver Centennial (1) Dix (1) Fires (1) Florida Gulf Stream (1) Fort Riley-Central Kansas (1) GEN Creighton W. Abrams (1) George Washington (1) Greater Atlanta (1) Greater Los Angeles (1) Greater New York-Statue of Liberty (1) Greater Philadelphia (Penn & Franklin) (1) Guam (1) Isthmian (1) Joshua Chamberlain (1) Kuwait (1) Las Vegas-John C. Fremont (1) Magnolia (1) Major Samuel Woodfill (1) Marne (1) Mediterranean (1) MG William F. Dean (1) Mid-Palatinate (1) National Training Center-High Desert (1) Newton D. Baker (1) San Francisco (1) Sunshine (1) Texas Capital Area (1) Thunderbird (1) Topeka (1) United Arab Emirates (1) Western New York (1) district expressed appreciation for the contributions, emphasizing how such support helps students start prepared and reflects a shared com- mitment to education. Cool Spring Elementary School has 540 students enrolled from kindergar- ten through fifth grade, with 68 kin- dergartners and 101 students each in grades one and four.Life Form Series includes GBD-1000, GBD-1100, or state equivalent. Accident Form Series includes GBD-1000, GBD-1300, or state equivalent. 251287-AUSA-TLADD-PAD HELP PREPARE FOR THE UNEXPECTED WITH AUSA’S GROUP TERM LIFE AND ACCIDENTAL DEATH AND DISMEMBERMENT INSURANCE PLANS. Like you, AUSA understands the importance of protection. 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